5th Sunday in Lent- Holy Baptism- (cont'd)

"What is the significance of such a baptism with water?"

I might rephrase Luther's question like this, "What difference does baptism make for my life today?  How does it impact my life?"  I know my baptismal date and place, July 31st, 1955 at Grace Lutheran Church, Palo Alto, CA.  That's a long time ago.  It's a date in history.  But Luther does not approach baptism as if it is a one time event on a certain date on the calendar.  Instead, it is a daily experience to be renewed constantly.  "Baptism signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever."  That's a long sentence!  But the key word for me is "daily."  Baptism is a "daily" dying to the sinful self, and a "daily" rising to the righteous self made possible through Christ alone.  Luther was fond of saying, "Remember your baptism."  Remember, indeed.  And as you remember, experience again the daily dying and rising that baptism offers.  That's how baptism impacts our lives.